First and formost, Thank You Amy on a AWESOME site! I know you hear that alot, but heck what's one more time!

OK....that being said...my questions is:

I've read previous posts that have said they (slip/don't slip) the first stitch when they start a new row..What does this mean?? Some posters said "slipping" makes what your knitting look more neater...and that they always "slip".

To slip the first stitch, just insert the needle into it, as if you're about to work the stitch as you would for that row, but instead of pulling yarn through, just slide it off the left needle, so it's now on the right needle. It's that simple, you're just transfering the stitch from the left needle to the right. (Video on how to slip is on the Abbreviations Explained page, if you need it.)

So, you just slip the first stitch of every row, instead of knitting or purling it. Work the rest of the row normally, including the last stitch. This way, the end stitches only get worked once every two rows, which helps control loose edges, and it gives them a neat, chain-like edge.

Amy

__________________~Amy
KnittingHelp Queen Bee

‎"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open."— Martha Graham

Amy, Thanks for the welcome, and for explaining the slip/not slip issue!

Umm..i'm almost half way through the scarf i'm making in seed stitch and haven't been slipping the first stitch. If I start slipping the first stitch now will it be real noticable to where you look at the scarf and can tell where it started being slipped? You know what I mean ..like it'll look funny/different since I started to slip the first stitches half way through making the scarf? Or should I just continue "not slipping"?

This thread was pretty interesting to me, I was also wondering about the slipping. When someone said to slip the first stitch if you want...I kept wondering if you should also slip the last stitch too..LOL. Now it's all starting to make sense to me :D Thanks!

Jouf, you can use either method (slipping or not slipping) for either open edge or sewn garments. I prefer to slip in both cases, although I've not really experimented with sewing a non-slipped edge, so I can't say this is an educated decision. In some cases a slipped edge is ideal for sewing or picking up stitches in. That is: if you want to pick up a stitch for every other row, or if sewing a seam stitch for every two rows is acceptable. You can also sew or pick up a stitch for every row with a slipped edge, but it's not obvious, and I'm afraid that my picking-up-stitches video is quite inadequate for showing how to do this. Basically, you want to work as close to the edge as you can, while still going into a space that has a hole for each row. If you look carefully, you'll find where I mean. ...Well, anyway, as I say, you can use either method!

Peg, I've never compensated the pattern for this, and I've had no trouble. I'm not sure if I am doing it the "correct" way or not.

Knitbit, I agree with Jouf. Stick to what you're doing! Actually, if you're working a really textured edge, like seed stitch or garter stitch, then not slipping the stitch looks good, in my opinion. Slipping also looks good. In fact they look very similar in those cases! I will still slip. But if you've started with not slipping, on this project, then you'll want to be consistent throughout the project.

Amy

__________________~Amy
KnittingHelp Queen Bee

‎"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open."— Martha Graham